BEIJING: Xi Jinping, president of the People’s Republic of China, is likely to visit Malaysia next year, said the Ambassador of Malaysia to China, Datuk Norman Muhamad.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, during a courtesy call to Li Qiang, Premier of China, touched on Malaysia’s wish to invite Xi to Malaysia as he visited Malaysia 11 years ago.

Norman told Malaysian journalists who are in the delegation to China with Ahmad Zahid that following Zahid’s visit to China, it has kick-started mutual visits by top-ranking leaders in Malaysia and China.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of formal ties between China and Malaysia.

Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, signed a joint communique to establish ties with China on 31 May 1974.

Besides Xi, Li will be visiting Malaysia next month.

Xi visited Malaysia from 3rd to 5th October 2013 where he announced the comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia.

He also announced five proposals to enhance collaboration between Malaysia and China. They are :

1. To expand bilateral trade, increase bilateral trade of both countries to reach US160 billion in 2017,
2. To boost mutual investments, continue to support the development in two parks – Qinzhou and Kuantan Industrial Park by encouraging Chinese entrepreneurs to actively participate in the six development projects of Malaysia ,
3. To expand financial collaboration by increasing the size of local currency settlements to avoid financial risks,
4. To have in-depth agricultural collaboration in fishery, continue to enhance value-add in natural rubber plantation, agricultural machinery trade and collaboration aquaculture
5. To have regional collaboration for joint development to create an inclusive, open and win-win situation.
   Norman said Ahmad Zahid, during the visit, proposed to Li Qiang to extend the visa free visit of Malaysians to China from 15 days to 30 days.

China responded by saying the the relevant departments of two countries are now conducting review on the matter.

Both leaders, Ahmad Zahid and Li Qiang agreed that the visa extension does not only benefit tourists but also business people.